I'm a staff writer for Forbes, writing about investing, personal finance, markets, news, tech and whatever else falls through the cracks. I manage Intelligent Investing, and have the privilege of interviewing some of the greatest minds in investing, business and politics through Steve Forbes' Intelligent Investing interview series. Keep an eye on this space to see what guests are sitting down with Steve, suggest questions you'd like to hear answered, and keep tabs on what today's movers, shakers and rock-solid veterans have to say.

Want A Million Dollars? Just Ask For It

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Craig Rowin learned that lesson the easy way. The 26-year-old New York native took to the internet last November with a simple plea: “Please give me one million dollars.”

As luck would have it, Rowin’s cry for cash found a willing set of ears in Benjamin, a millionaire from New York. As Rowin announced today via YouTube, he has reached an agreement; “He will give me one million dollars and I will owe him nothing in return.” The transfer will happen in person on February 2nd, live on stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, where Rowin, a comedian, often performs.

I talked to Rowin today, and he confirmed that he will indeed be receiving a cool million.

“I found out for sure about two weeks ago,” he told me. Benjamin, whose last name will be revealed during a Q&A session at the UCB show, contacted Rowin via, “email, phone call, letter – every means of modern technology.”

“I’ve gotten hundreds of emails, but this is the first one that was legit.”

In the first video, Rowin addressed individual millionaires, asking them to spare some change. “Al Roker, I met you once, remember?” he says, pointing to a picture of his younger self standing next to the familiar broadcaster. “Gimme a million dollars.”

“I remember making the video, and I turned to the guy directing it and I said, ‘You know, we could make one million dollars,’ ” Rowin told me. “ And he said, ‘No, that definitely won’t happen.’ That has been the common thing – it definitely could happen, but also it could just be a video.”

When the first video didn’t work immediately, Rowin expanded his options, inviting corporations to donate to his cause (or lack thereof). He included Forbes in his list of possible benefactors, saying, “Forbes. You make a magazine about millionaires! I think it would be pretty ironic if you made me a millionaire. Please do so.”

Today, with $1 million headed for his bank account, Rowin is likely reveling in the modern age. “Obviously, the internet has prevailed.” He does realize that he’s not breaking new ground at the age of 26, though. “I’m a year older than Mark Zuckerberg. He beat me to it.”

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Rowin’s plea is his lack of justification. In each of the videos, he reiterates that he has no concrete plan for the money. In the first, he simply says, “I don’t need it for anything specific, but I think it would be awesome.”

Can you give me half of the million and help me and my family??? My parents lost their job, we dont have anything just bills and dues which grow more every day. Please help my family to start some job,to pay out our bills and live like normal family because we lost all friends because we dont have anything more. Please think about it,this is very hard for me, believe me it is not easy to ask somebody something like this but we dont have other option more. Thank you before everything… With all my respect…

I HATE MY LIFE! HATE IT! I’m sick and tried of being poor…… Have been poor all my life. Can’t seem to get ahead. no matter what I do. I’m Always In Need For Money. Bills piling up, behind in 2 months rent, and the LIST goes on. I’m 54 years of age, and on disability. I have Osteoporosis , and, I’m hard of hearing in both ears, have been ever since I was a litter girl. Had a hard time going through life, being half deaf. I Wish, For A Miracle To Happen, A Miracle That Would Change My Life For The Better, It Would Be A Blessing To Me…… Tell Me, I’m I only dreaming?…… Do Miracles Really Happen?……. Is Their Anyone Out There With A Kind Heart? Will My Miracle Ever Come True? diane.carriere@mail.com

I HATE MY LIFE! HATE IT! I’m sick and tried of being poor…… Have been poor all my life. Can’t seem to get ahead. no matter what I do. I’m Always In Need For Money. Bills piling up, behind in 2 months rent, and the LIST goes on. I’m 54 years of age, and on disability. I have Osteoporosis , and, I’m hard of hearing in both ears, have been ever since I was a litter girl. Had a hard time going through life, being half deaf. I Wish, For A Miracle To Happen, A Miracle That Would Change My Life For The Better, It Would Be A Blessing To Me…… Tell Me, I’m I only dreaming?…… Do Miracles Really Happen?……. Is Their Anyone Out There With A Kind Heart? Will My Miracle Ever Come True? express.info@gmx.com Venus5619 Ms.Diane Carriere

The Big Question Is. If someone was in really in need HELP for MONEY! And if you could change that someone’s life, for the better, “Question Is”, Would You Do It?

Or would you turn, your back on this person, knowing in the back of your mind, this person is really in help for money? Because this person, was so much deep in debt, that it is destroying this person’s life.

I don’t believe you would be that type of person. You have the money to do it, WHY NOT! Being able to help, someone, I think, You would feel great inside, knowing you had ,HELP that person’s life, for the better, and you put the biggest smile on that person face, from ear to ear. You’ve Done Your Good Deed For The Day, Oh! ya.You Would Feel Great Inside.

Me! “meDiane” is in need for HELP for MONEY!

Is there “Anyone” out there, with a kind enough heart? “Anyone” that would like to change my life for the better?

[...] into a Venture Capitalist’s office, fire up a PowerPoint and ask for a million dollars. Hey, maybe it will work for you…but it’s probably smarter to focus on getting realistic amounts of money to [...]

My name is Nemanja Savic, I was born 31.12.1991 year in Nis, Serbia. When I was 6 years old my mother died a few years later my father re-married, now with that woman has another child, and I do not watch. I have a girlfriend, but we’ve been together a year and a half ago, but my father does not accept this connection and will not hear of it. It is non-stop arguments with her ​​family, not on good terms. And she and I want to go somewhere as soon as possible to live together, but this is a Serbian land, no money, no job, so please help me. We are really in a difficult situation, only good and beautiful thing in our lives is our love. If you would like to give me 1000000 $, I would have with that money bought a lot, built a small house, furnished everything, house, yard, lived modestly and I created my family. Believe me, with that money would have lived my girlfriend and I, our children and grandchildren, their children and so on, so please give me 1000000 $. I would like to with that money, surprised my girlfriend, if you help me, my future wife, who does not even know that I have approached someone for help and that we may be a help. Perhaps you this million is not so important, and I believe he changed my life.

Hi what i think is it is good to give specially such an angel needed in ethiopia if i am given a chance to get 2million i will feed 500 students everyday there lunch for two years.Any angel is welcome you can even contribute by writing yoas43@hotmail.com YOUWILL BE LOVED BY 365,000STUDENTS FOR TWO YEARS